You need to adjust your aggression levels according to the type of table you are playing on and the way in which the board develops.

For example, if your table is filled with passive players who continually fold to a raise, then this is an excellent spot to show aggression. But if you are sat with several highly aggressive players, then too much aggression could start a war.

Also, betting when the board probably has you beat is just like throwing money down the drain. So make sure you have a good hand and a good table image before you draw your guns, as marginal situations will lead to you only firing blanks.

You will see a variety of starting hands suggested in charts and tables, some of which are extremely complex and some of which are extremely simple.

If you ask experienced poker players to list their favorite top ten hands, the majority of answers will include the following:.

The reason that these hands are popular is because they have good equity and are normally quite likely to win a pot. Another reason is that these cards are generally considered to be relatively easy to play after the flop and should not get you in to too much trouble.

That is the reason that small pocket and medium pocket pairs are not on this list. They are a lot more difficult to play post-flop and thus open you up to making costly mistakes.

For example, let's say that you're on sat on the big blind and the small blind completes. You are holding 4s-4c and decide to make a small raise since there are only two of you in the pot.

The small blind calls and the flop is 9h-8d-Jh. The small blind then checks to you. Do you bet? If you knew that he was holding a pair, you probably would not.

Well one time in three, with random cards, your opponent will have made a pair on the flop. And this means that one time in three, you will probably make a mistake in this situation.

And mistakes, as we have already mentioned, cost you money. Still not convinced? Your opponent check-raises you! Uh oh, now what?

Your opponent could now be holding a wide range of hands. He could be saying "no way" to your flop bet, believing you to be making a continuation bet with a hand like A-K.

Or, he could get tricky and be semi-bluffing with a hand containing a 10 or maybe two hearts. He could even be taking a stab at the pot with absolutely nothing like Now do you see how hard it is not to make mistakes?

This is why is important to play tight. Your decisions become easier, and easy decisions result in fewer mistakes and therefore waste less money.

Just wondering, are you at Vegas if so good luck or still grinding at Thailand? Been reading your stuff for a while now Nathan. You have helped me improve my game more in the last two years than all the research and books I read prior.

Thsnks to you I can honestly say ive became a winning player. Ive still been struggling with my discipline with my bankroll as ive blown it on sports bets or casino games from time to time as I feel my bankroll getting bigger then I feel like I got extra money to play with and give some away.

As for programing, I like to eat, get an energy drink or coffee in me, usually will read one or two of your articles to get my mind thinking about the game the right way, then I also really enjoy listening to some motivational videos before and during when I play Another reason to quit if you get gun shy and don't take advantage of opportunities especially pre flop It's ok to tighten up ep with some marginal stuff but in late position watch for passing on squeezing opportunities or folding good hands to a raise and reraise I don't remember the exact Tommy Angelo quote but it's something like if you think maybe you should quit quit.

Hey Nathan, great and helpful work as always! One thought I had when reading this though somewhat unrelated - Have you thought about doing a podcast related to the micros?

Maybe where you interview former losers turned micro crushers? Because you'd have one regular listener right here! Thanks David! Yes, that is something that I have considered and might do in the future.

Thanks for the suggestion. Thank you for this article, I did enjoy reading it. I thought playing on your phone was the norm these days.

So many younger players do this. I will always remember this when I start to tilt. Posted by BlackRain See the Special Offer below.

No Limit Texas Holdem -- it is: 1. It has helped me put kids through school and maintain a fine standard of living. Contrary to common belief, No-limit Texas Holdem is not a game of chance.

Whether your goal is to become a professional, or just a better recreational player, improving your game is simple. You must improve your ability to analyze the conditions at the table and identify the profitable play.

It takes more than book-learning to become an accomplished Holdem poker player. It takes hands-on experience.

Reading poker books or watching poker videos can sometimes be helpful. But new-found knowledge or techniques will not become profitable until you have gained experience using them.

Here is the problem. The game of poker is constantly evolving. Tournament Results Online Poker Rooms Players in the News Poker on Television The World Series of Poker Poker Legal Issues Other Poker News